Gregorian - The healers. Review on Satisfaction - Gregorian

A Disclaimer as usual , Purists please note that though I am straying , its done so within limits , Conservation of Net resources is what I strive to achieve … I am reviewing The Master of Chants Album by Gregorian under the Satisfaction Section wherein no reviews have been written so far.

What is Gregorian Chant ?

This is a form of a Chant , a unison Chant i.e in Chorus used primarily by the Roman Catholic Church in the Medieval ages and named after the pope St Gregory 1 the great. These Chants are basically in Latin and were handed over orally from generations to Generations. These chants are supposed to have as many as 3000 melodies within them and are used in the Church as a part of Prayer.

Music and Gregorian Chants

Germany based Frank Peterson had a very strange idea , to make a Gregorian Choir sing modern Pop/Rock Songs in their own way. After the Success of Enigma’s Sadness where these Chants were used , this idea did not sound that remote and did it work …. Selling almost a Million units Each in 1999/2000 .

The Album – Master of Chants

There is a lot of Hardwork that goes into making these songs , as first one has to find the right song that can be adapted to the Gregorian Style. These Chants have their own structure within which the selected songs must be placed.

We have many famous songs which have been included in this album … I am now listing the songs with the Original Artiste (wherever I know) and will then collectively review the same.

Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits

Scarborough Fair - Simon and Garfunkel

Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton

Still Im Sad - Yardbirds

When a Man Loves a Woman - Calvin Lewis/Andrew Bright

Nothing Else Matters - Metallica

Fade to Grey - Visage

Losing My Religion - REM

Vienna - Visage

The Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel

Sebastian - Steve Harley

Don’t Give up - Peter Gabriel

All these songs when heard in this Variation gives a very different feel to it , a melancholic representation of the original with subtle Chorus variations especially for Losing my religion and Scarborough Fair.

These songs seem to gently touch your soul and soothe away your troubles and pain … adding a certain healing touch to it. The music used is minimal , the original tunes are used to retain the basic flavor of the song , then the steady percussion aids the Choir group in their endeavor . The accent used is very Latin and you are transported to the Medieval Age … oh that’s what I call Bliss.

Discovery of this Album

A Wonderful Dentist - Doctor Couple The Subramaniams in my hometown Chembur play these songs as they go upon the noble task of repairing my sweet little teeth !!! . These songs actually helped me in relaxing for the treatment I was undergoing.

Moreover a fellow MS ian haljosgeo had mentioned in my Karunesh Review to continue reviewing different music and educate everyone else. Here is my humble attempt in the same.

You may note that this review has more to the Chants and less of the album , I feel this is necessary when one is introducing a new style of Music.

Leave your Honest Comments as you pass.